Hayrettin calls for unity after heated exchange

Mike Simmonds

Hatters first team coach Hakan Hayrettin called for unity after manager John Still was involved in an angry exchange of words with a small section of supporters after the 3-2 defeat at home to Morecambe on Saturday.

Following the full time whistle, both Still and captain Steve McNulty took objection to something said to them by the home fans when leaving the pitch as stewards and players had to pull them away.

Hayrettin said: “I just think there was a group of supporters that obviously felt that the team didn’t give what they had to give in the first half.

“Words were exchanged and it’s good to see the majority of the supporters were behind what the manager was doing and what he was saying.

“But that’s football, that’s going to happen from time to time. Up until now, I don’t think we’ve had any incidents like that, but lets be honest, to win the league the way we did last year and to be in the position we’re in right now, I think any Luton Town supporter would take that wouldn’t they?

“I think what John Still has done for this football club in the last two years has been outstanding, nothing short of a miracle.”

Hakan Hayrettin

“There’s no shadow of a doubt in the managers mind that it’s an isolated incident. They (fans) have their opinions and they’re entitled to their opinions, but that’s football.”

The incident had echoes of last season when after a 3-2 win over Lincoln City, then skipper Ronnie Henry was involved in a heated debate with a home fan.

That led to supporters backing the Hatters to the hilt from then on, and Hayrettin believes it could well happen again.

He continued: “It could be a pivotal thing for us, could be something that rallies the troops even more.

“I’ve known the manager a long, long time and things like that don’t sway him or sway his judgement, or sway what he thinks of the club, or the supporters.

“I think what John Still has done for this football club in the last two years has been outstanding, nothing short of a miracle.

“Previous to that, this club has been in the position it has been for four or five seasons and couldn’t get itself out of it.

“What we need now is for everyone to stay focused, to stay positive, to get behind the team, to rally the team, to try and get us in the position where we can elevate again.

“John’s like a mature wine, the older he gets the better he gets. I can talk freely about it as I believe that, I believe in him, the players believe in him, and I’m sure the 99.99 per cent of the Luton supporters believe in him.”

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